THE EDITOR, Sir:

Sensationalism is the temptation to which The Gleaner yielded in the lead article ('Let's talk FINSAC', January 15, 2013) on the letter which Leader of the Opposition Andrew Holness wrote to the governor general on January 11. Even the subtitle is misleading. The letter contained no call "for the GG to force Gov't to fund completion of commission of enquiry".

Further, it is false to present that letter as an instruction from the leader of the Opposition for the governor general to oblige the Government to bring closure to the FINSAC commission of enquiry. Not even the tone of that letter should have led to such an interpretation.

Mr Holness would not have "reminded" the governor general "that it was he who had appointed the commission" since he would have recalled that Sir Patrick came to the office after the establishment of the commission. Simple fact-checking should be elementary.

Of even greater concern is the very unfortunate attempt to cast the governor general as a lackey of the Jamaica Labour Party because he was appointed during that party's administration. The role and action of the governor general are firmly rooted in the Constitution he is sworn to uphold.

The Commissions of Enquiry Act obliges commissioners to present their report to the governor general. That is clear. The governor general has long been concerned about the delay in the presentation of the FINSAC commission's report and the impact on our people. On his own volition, he began a series of consultations on this matter several months ago.

In his response to Mr Holness, also dated January 11, Sir Patrick advised him of the initiatives he has taken to date and of his instruction that the commissioners meet with him during this month. He also stated the need for a meeting with Mr Holness himself once he has concluded those consultations.

When these meetings and consultations are concluded, the governor general will make a public statement.

Evadne Coye

Special Adviser to the

Governor General